Introduction to Cotton Moduling

The cotton moduling system is the most effective cotton handling system yet developed for harvesting, handling, storing and transporting seed cotton from the field to the gin

The major advantage to the grower is maximum utilization of his harvesters with a minimum of field labor and quicker completion of harvesting operations because trailer shortages becomes a secondary problem.

The major advantage to the ginner is operating the gin at a constant, steady rate and increased volume without grower pressure for release of trailers.

A common advantage, often overlooked, to the ginner and grower is field storage of cotton as opposed to congested gin yard storage.

Module Site

Careful planning and consideration should be used in selecting the site for your modules and in preparing the site for your modules. This will allow you to store your modules in the field for quite some time.

Your turnrow site should be level and graded to allow for good drainage and prevent moisture damage. If the site is large enough, center the unit for dumping into either side and turn it along the downwind side to prevent losing cotton during dumping and to minimize scattering.

In areas of heavy rainfall, do not leave modules where they are not accessible to transporting equipment. If possible, angle the modules or alternate them to leave accessiblity to each module in case of overheating in the module.

Module Guidelines

Seed cotton with a moisture content greater than 12% should not be stored in a module or overheating can occur. If temperature inside module reaches 120 degrees the module should be ginned immediately. Most modules will reach 90 to 110 degrees in three to four days, then start dropping; however, arrangements should be made with your ginner immediately gin any modules that heat up higher then 110 degrees. if the cotton is dry enough and is stored for 3 weeks or longer a grade increase is possible so don't module cotton too wet or green unless you gin it with 2-3 days.

Module Building

Your "Cotton House" Module Builder will easily accomodate 2-4 row harvesters in 1 1/2 bales per acre yield cotton without adversely affecting the efficiency of the moduling system. The number of harvesters that can dump into one Module Builder will vary according to harvester capacity and yield per acre but too may harvesters will result in undesirable waiting time to dump and not enough time for the operator to sufficiently tamp the cotton.

Approximately three dumps should be made before leveling and tamping is necessary. It is recommended to dump one basket at the front, one at the back and the third in the middle. The cotton may now be leveled by lowering the tamper slightly lower that the high cotton level and then transversing the tamper bridge forward and backwards, moving the cotton to a relatively level position. Avoid dragging large rolls of cotton to prevent damage to the tamper guides. Spacing the dumps along the length of the Module Builder will eliminate undue spreading and leveling.

Once the cotton is level, start the tamping action. Tamp all the way down, raise tamper, move bridge approximately 18 inches and tamp. Continue this process repeatedly throughout the filling of the Module Builder. Special care and extra tamping should be given to the four foot at each during loading and unloading. After the final dump in the Module, level the cotton and tamp the fulllength with enough force to raise the builder slightly off the the ground for maximum compaction.

Be sure your module is firm and has no low spots to hold moisture. If possible, make module slightly higher in center to facilitate shedding water in rain. In rainy areas, covering module is suggested, but be careful that water does not collect in low areas.